Shop FoxW1706 14" Bandsaw with Cast Iron Wheels & Deluxe Aluminum Fence

This is an excellent saw - solid and a good value. The cast-iron frame is very solid. The saw runs quietly. Setup was straightforward. Saw required little in the way of setup adjustments; just the blade had to be adjusted on the wheel. The guide bearing are easy to adjust (much better than on the cheaper saws). The cosmoline grease packed on the table required some work to get off, but was not hard. I recommend mineral spirits (not Simple Green as someone suggested - didn't work). I then put on Boeshield T-9 and paste wax as another suggested. The fence is excellent as is the miter gauge - they fit well, are easy to install, out-of-the box true, and well made. You will need a helper to set the saw on top of the base - it weighs 150lb. The base is well made and took the saw on top very well. Bolts lined up well. The instructions are good, but if you have never used a bandsaw or set on up, I recommend you look at some video on-line first (very helpful; M Fortune is a good video).

I said my second favorite only because my table saw is my most used. It was hard to spend the money for a saw that doesn't get used alot but thanks to Shop Fox and the fine quality and price they offer I now have this wonderful saw. I admit it is because of Amazon I made this leap. Great price and free shipping with Prime. This puchase paid for my prime membership since it weighs approx. 250 lbs and came by freight delivery right to my door.After much research I found this saw to be of good quality with cast iron rather than aluminum parts and storage compartment. Upon arrival the unit is as nice as advertised. It is solid and wonderfully functional doing everything I had hoped thus now my almost favorite shop tool I own. The quality should allow it to last my life time and more.

Was delivered as promised,quickly and safe and sound. It took about 2 hours to set up including adjusting the lower drive wheel out to make in in the same plane as the top wheel with proper blade and tension set up. The saw is quiet, has cast iron wheels for more sawing inertia than you would get with aluminum wheels.Considering everything including free shipping this saw was a bargan. The closest thing was an almost identical saw from Grizzly which was about $60 less (including shipping), the only difference was the Grizzly had a cheap stand/base and this Shop Fox had a really nice stand/base which had storage room, for about $600 shipping included.The quality of this saw is as good, or better, than similar saws from Steel City, Jet and Delta at 1/2 to 2/3 the price. Only the Powermatic has a similar sized and similar designed saw with better guides and slightly better wheels, but it's double the price. If your gonna consider the Powermatic, then just go get the Laguna 14 inch European style saw for only $200 more and enjoy their really great saw which has even better guides, table, fence and a brake.However if you want a simple quality 14 inch saw that is much less than the Jet, Steel City, Delta and Powermatic go get this Shop Fox or look at about 4 variations of this saw from Grizzly with prices ranging from $395 to $795 depending on things like stand, table/fence, wheel upgrades etc. Remember that Grizzly charges shipping, but this saw from Amazon.com comes with free shipping.

I really like this bandsaw.but just in case I kept the boxes for return... They are now in the street waiting for the garbage guy. When I unpacked it it was pretty much ready to go. An hour's worth of setup, oadjustments and tweaks and it cut perfectly. The extras such as the blade roller guides (!), rip fence (not very good but useable), and a miter gauge only boost its value. Most machines don't come with those items; certainly not those rollers. The cabinet on which the machine sits is very handy as is the blade tensioner. This is my second bandsaw, the first being a Delta 14". Delta is a big name in machinery, but this saw beats the one I had ( and sold). This Shopfox is doing just fine as I continue to make furniture, etc. and is a welcome addition to my shop.